Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-27
A MONUMENT TO GEN. LEE.
The Cornerstone Laid I'm Richm0ns
To-day.

The Cornerstone Laid I'm Richmond
To-day.
HISTORY or THE MOVEMENT TO ERECT A MEMORIAL
TO THE CONFEDERATE cHIEFTAIS-THK ARTIST A
FRENCH ADxIsEB or THE VIRGINIA SOLDIER.
To-day the cornerstone OF monument TO the
memory OF Gen. Robert T. Lee was laid In Rich
mond, Va, with imposing ceremonies aad in pres
ence OF thousands OF Interested spectators The
first movement toward a monument to Gen. Lee
was organized on the day OF his death by some OF
his old soldiers That resulted In placing over the
grave of the dead general at Lexington valen-
tines recumoent figure, which is pronounced one
OF the best works OF art In the country.
GREAT GATHERING OF Kx-CoNFEDERATEs.
In october, 1870, Cen Early, as the senior sur
wing ofricer OF Lees army, issued a call for q
meeting to organize Lee monument association.
Pursuant to that call in November following, one
OF the largest gatherings Of ex-Confedrates ever
held assembled In Richmond. Nearly all the sur
yivfng generals OF prominence were present A
Early as president. A central executive committee
was located In Virginia, with branch committees
IN all the Southern states A considerable
other organizations existed, having In
view the same purpose, some friction arose. TO
harmonic matters and concentrate the effort the
Virginia legislature passed an act constituting the
state Officers the managers Of the Lee Memorial
Association. The soldiers association turned over
was In existence and diligently working
LADIES' MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.
That association procured the site Of the projected
monument. Soon after Gov. Lee was inaugurated
he went diligently to work to reinvigorate the
movement with the avowed purpose Of having the
monument completed by the end OF his term. Inc
ladies' association was merged with the other Or
ganzation, and the movement materially
ity OF law the governor, auditor and treasurer OF
the State, Miss Sarah N Randolph, Miss Sarah
board.
THE SITE AND THE STATUE.
A commanding site, just without the western
limits OF Richmond, and In beautiful suburb, was
chosen, and, after advertising for proposals and
models, the contract for the statue was award d
France. 1t is said that as he was an ardent adj
lnirer OF Gen. Lee he takes peculiar interest In
The associarion has In IT'S treasury $50 600 and
IL is believed that this amount will be considerably
sweled by donations from the thousands who as
sembled to take part In the laying Of the corner
stone today The cost OF the statue is not stated
but 1t is estimated that 1t will not exceed $3.50 600
ner,stone is about feet across and feet deep
and the cap that covers it is about y feet deep
1t Will. when put in place, be about 2 feet above
ground
THE CITY HANDSOMELY DECORATED.
Though the city council refused to make an ap-
preparation for beautifying Richmond on this Oc-
CASTOR. the streets are handsomely decorated by
the citizens. The residence occupied by Gen. Lee
and family during the war has been ela I
wrought in evergreens "His home" 1t was from
this house that Gen. Lee went to take command Of
the Confederate army, and 1t was TO that house
that he returned just after his surrender.
GOV. LEES RECEPTION LAST NIGHT.
Gov Fftzhugh Lee last night held public re-
ception at the executive mansion, In Richmond,
which was attended by great crowd, including
many prominent personages who are in the city
20 tn Aay tC nnnia, Apnnn
them were many eX- Confederate officers who, dur
ing the late war; were closely connected officially
with Gen r. Z. Lee There were also prominent
by his stan In full uniform, and the reception was
brilliant affair, despite the unpleasant weather
Imprisoned In q Tank.
woRKMAN's HOUR AND HALF OF PERIL AND AGONY.
A very remarkable accident occurred at the Grant
Locomotive Works In Paterson, n. j., Tuesday eve
ning Archibald McFadden, aged 40, crawled into
a water tank which formed a part Of the tender Of
new locomotive, In order to remedy slight defect
before the locomotive was sent out Of the shop. He
entered through the hole on top through which the
tank is filled with water, taking with him, besides
his Tools OIL lamp and pie e OF carpet to put
under his knees when ne knelt on the, the hard Iron.
ming In all directions and It Is like making ones
way through the meshes OF series OF nets to move
about In IL.
McFadden entered the tank about O'Clock. A
few moments afterward the other men heard
SmOthered cries and groanS issuing from the hole,
and a little later cloud OF smoke came out. The
man had upset his lamp, set IRE to his clothing
and the piece Of carpet, and was unable to make
his way out. One afr another OF her men entered
the hole, but each Immediately came out again
choking ana half smOthered with the smoke and
gases given on by the oily flames inside. The
shrieks Of McFadden for help made them redOuble
their efforts, but in vain stream OF water was
poured In TO put out the fire, until II was found
necessary to stop lest the water should drown the
imprisoned workman. Then a stream Of air was
pumped in to keep him from sufYocatfng.
The affair caused the IN st intense excitement
Hundreds OF men gathered around the tank max
ing all sorts Of suggestions, and again and again
venturesome men volunteered to go In, but no one
got his body out Of sight before he backed out. W.
v. Evans, the manager OF the company, offered
500 reward for the man who would rescue McFad-
den, but IL was OF no avail 1t was a physical I'm
possibility to penetrate far into the tank.
''Then," said Mr.. Evans "tear out the top Of the
tank hundred hammers and cold chisels re
at once at work. and the rvet heads few in all d.
rections. In fifteen minutes the stout boler.ffOn
was torn away enough TO allow the unfortunate
man to be rescued. He was nearly dead when ne
was taken out, for he had been In the tank nearly
all hour and half, having gone In about o'clock
and been taken out about $40 O'Clock. He was
frightfully burned about the legs and lower d lrt
OF the body and IL Is feared that he cannot recover
He was at once removed to the sisters Hospital,
where ne now lies in a very critical condition He
had managed TO put out the IRE with the water
that hal been poured in and the air forced in had
vad hfs life INIT he IA Su ffprpinv frOm Shock